HAI’s Founder Reflects
Thirty-five years ago, I selected the name Hospital Audiences, Inc. In 1991, I wrote: “The initials HAI aptly describe our current priorities: H: handicapped, homeless; A: access, AIDS, adolescents; I: ill, infirm, indigent. These initials also denote the hope and inspiration derived from the enjoyment and participation in the arts, our fundamental premise. From time to time I have observed how these very same letters have encompassed the ever-growing scope of participants, starting with basic priorities of hospitalized, aged, addicted and incarcerated. The initials also underscore one implicit goal of HAI's work with shut-ins - to humanize all institutions by bringing the life giving energies of the arts to settings too often devoid of humanity. This reaching out to embrace and include people too often "shut in" and "shut out" from the cultural mainstream is based on a presumption underscored in the reverse of our initials - the affirmation I Am Human.”

Over the past decade, another permutation of our initials has evolved. HAI has also come to mean Helping Achieve Independence, providing access
information for people with disabilities (through our Access Guides) and through developing behavioral skills which free youths and adults from destructive behavior with respect to HIV/AIDS, violence, and other life threatening situations.

As I look back over the 35 years of HAI's service, it comes to mind that I am often asked "Did you ever think the organization would grow this big and be around so long and for years to come?" My answer is "no." At all points in our history, I have responded to changing societal needs with respect to what was then, and may still be, ‘the vulnerable’ people...those ‘cast off’ or ‘shut out’ from society. This edition of our Newsletter describes the four major services that have evolved over the years. Though quite different from one another, these services share a common objective: to harness live arts experiences for healing and growth.

Central to the HAI concept is performing for institutionalized people in facilities such as nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospitals and group homes.

New York is a mecca for artistic talent and HAI benefits from the vast number of dedicated professionals. Artists are selected to perform On-Site based on their talent and ability to communicate with HAI audiences. In the past, prominent personalities such as Whoopie Goldberg, Big Bird, Roberta Flack and Chaka Khan have expressed their support for the program and its goals by giving special HAI On-Site performances. Today, the program has an active artist roster of over 200 individuals and ensembles who present over 2,500 performances annually at health and social service facilities.

Reward of a Different Kind
"Although my professional touring schedule does not allow for many HAI gigs, I look forward to them - not for the remuneration but for a reward of a different kind.

“I remember once playing for a group of Alzheimer's patients at a downtown nursing home. When my own mother was diagnosed with AD and finally needed to be institutionalized, it was this home that she went to. And I once again played old standards for the group, with my own mother in the front line of folks clapping along to the strands of songs that still remained in their battered memories. Sometimes it's very hard to sing when you feel like crying.”
- Diane Ponzio, HAI Artist since March 1988